Fritz Kasten, an accomplished drummer who played with Vince Guaraldi and Joy of Cooking, notes: A part of learning the instrument—not exclusive, certainly, to drums—is concentrating on relaxing. Assuming a normal neurology, invariably it’s tension that creates the problems. . . . Most of us have experienced some degree of disturbed coordination in several musical situations such as learning new material. The more experienced—and confident—the player, the less the problem. Most musicians—if they’re honest—will admit to tension in various situations, tension that affects their playing.
